Method and apparatus for displaying articles



Jmfsl, 1967 R. F. GULLIVER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ARTICLES Filed Aug. 6, 1965 iis y 24) rZ5/Z7 ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,301,389 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 3,301,389 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ARTlCLES Richard F. Gulliver, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Waldorf Paper Products Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Aug. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 477,805

. 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-47) This invention relates to an improvement in method and apparatus for displaying articles and deals particularly with a means of attaching an elongated article to Aa display panel.

Many articles which `were previously packaged in a bag or carton are now mounted on display panels and held in place by a plastic film. In many instances, the film is heat sealed directly to the panel. This not only usually requires a sheet of film which is somewhat larger than the article being covered, but it also usually requires that the paperboard be treated in some way so that the film will adhere thereto. Obviously, the film could be held in place by adhesive, but this would normally impair the appearance of the product and the film would have to be applied after the article was in place. v

It has been found that elonga-ted articles of one type or another can be very effectively secured to a display panel by forming the display with a second panel secured to the first and hinged along an edge thereof. The second panel need not be coextensive with the first. The opposed panels are provided with elongated slots in the area to which the elongated article is to be secured. The slots are positioned to be in registry when the two panels yare folded together. A small strip of plastic material which comprises a shrink film is attached to one of the panels between the slot therein and the hinge line connecting the two panels and is secured to the other panel alongside of the other slot therein, the film overlying this second slot. The slots are spaced lfrom the fold line connecting the panels a distance necessary to provide` the necessary film to encircle the article to be attached. The two panels are folded into face contact, and the edges of the panel opposite the folded edges may be secured together. The strip offilm is slightly narrower than the length of the slots so that the intermediate portion of the film may be drawn through one of the slots. By inserting a suitable instrument through one of the slots, a prtion of the film may be drawn through the slot of the front display to form a tubular loop designed to encircle the article. The article may be inserted through this loop. By subjecting the film to heat, the film is shrunk about the elongated article, thus firmly securing the article to a display panel.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a display which may be produced at low cost, and which may be used with a minimum of equipment. The film may be attached to the fiat blank with adhesive -on an apparatus which i-s known to the trade as a cellophane window machine. The display panels may be adhered together on readily available gluing machinery. The fiat blanks with attached film on their inner surfaces are usually delivered to the customer in this form. In order to attach the article, the intermediate portion of the film is drawn through one of the slots, the article inserted into the tubular loop thus formed, and the displays -subjected to heat which may comprise merely -a blast of heated air or a source of radiant heat. When subjected to heat, the film is shrunk snugly about the article.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the package is capable of supporting many articles which may be used to form the loop of film into which it is inserted. For example, pencils, pens, and any other such articles having a pointed end narrower than the slot in the board can be used to form the loop. Thus, when the loop is formed, the article is already in position to be secured to the display panel.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a simple and effective means of attaching an elongated article to a second object. By attaching the panels to one panel of a carton or to a sleeve for accommodating a cylindrical object or the like, the two parts can be connected together in a simple and effective manner.

In the foregoing description, two panels have been described having registering slots therein. Actually, it is only essential that there be a slot in one of the panels. However, as the film lies fiat against the surface of the other panel between the two panels when the panels are folded together, a very thin blade of some type would have to be used to pull the loop of film through the slot. The film may be much more easily withdrawn if there is an aperture through the other panel which at least corresponds in position to an end of the slot so that an instrument mayymore readily be inserted behind the film so that the film may be pulled through the slot. If similar slots are provided in both panels, it is also possible to form the loop by forcing the film forwardly through the slot in the front panel by means inserted through the rear panel.

These and -other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims;

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical package showing an elongated article supported adjacent a cylind'rical object.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the manner in which an article may be used to draw a portion of the film through the slot in the display panel during the FIGURE Sis an enlarged cross sectional view through a portion of the package showing the position of the film when the fiat package is delivered, the position of the' section being indicated by the line 3 3 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a View lsimilar to FIGURE 3 showing the article in place.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the package is formed.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view through a simplified form of construction in which the display comprises merely a pair of hingedly connected panels.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the structure of FIGURE 6 is formed.

- The structure shown in FIGURES 1 to 5 of the drawings has been used for attaching a fork-like comb used in back-combing hair to a can of hair spray. The elongated oomb A is the object which is held in place by the method described. The can of hair spray is indicated by the letter B. The display folder which combines the objects A and B is illustrated in general by the letter C.

As indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, the display folder C includes a rectangular paperboard panel 10 foldably connected along one vertical edge by a fold line 11 to a similar panel 12. The panel 12 is foldably connected along a fold line 13 which is parallel to the fold line 11 to a connecting panel 14. The panel 14 is foldably connected along the fold line 15 to a panel 16 of similar width. The panel 16 is connected along a fold line 17 which is parallel to the previously-described fold `lines to a glueflap 19. The fold line 15 is provided so that the structure may be glued. In the formation of the display folder, the blank is folded along the fold line 15 and the glue flap 19 is adhered in face contact with the panel 12. The panel is then folded to overlie the panel 12 and is marginally attached thereto to overlie the glue flap 19.

In order to display the cylindrical can B, the panel 14, which extends behind the can B, is cut away as indicated at 20. The panel 16 which is designed to extend forwardly of the can B, is notched away as indicated at 21 so as to display the major portion of the front of the can B.

In the particular arrangement illustrated, the panel 10 is provided with a vertically elongated slot 22 which is parallel to, and spaced from, the fold line 11. The panel 12 is provided with a similar slot 23 which is also parallel to, and spaced from, the fold line 11. The distances between the slots 22 and 23 and the fold line 11 are equal so that the two slots are in registry when the panel 10 is folded over the panel 12.

A rectangular strip 24 of a plastic film known as a shrink film is attached along one edge to the panel 10 and along its opposite edge to the panel 12. The numeral 25 indicates a vertical line of adhesive attaching the edge 26 of the film 24 to the panel 10 on the edge of the slot 22 nearest to the fold line 11. The numeral 27 indicates a second vertical line of adhesive attaching the opposite parallel edge 29 of the film 24 to the panel 12. The area 27 of adhesive extends along the edge of the slot 23 which is most remote from the fold line 11. As a result, the film 24 extends over the slot 23.

When the blank is folded and the outer edge 30 of the panel 10 overlies the glue flap 19 and is attached to the glue flap and to the panel 12, the film 24 folds into the position shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. It is in this position when the display folders are delivered to the customer and when the article A to be attached is Secured to the folder. It will be noted that the upper edge of the film strip 24 is slightly below the upper ends of the slots 22 and 23. The article A is provided with a lower pointed end 31 which is of smaller diameter than the width of the slots 22 and 23. As a result, the pointed lower end 31 of the object A may be inserted through the slot 22 above the film 24 to extend behind the upper edge of the film, and the film 24 may be drawn outwardly through the slot 22 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings until a tubular loop of lm of proper size to freely encircle the handle portion 32 of the object A is provided. The size of the film loop 33 which is thus formed is determined by the distance between the slots 22 and 23 and the fold line 11. Obviously, the greater the distance between the slots and the fold line 11, the longer the strip of film will be, and the greater will be the size of the loop 33. The operation of pulling the film 24 through the slot 22 is completed by merely forcing the object A downwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 2 until the lower pointed end 31 of the 0bject A is flush with the lower edge of the panel 10.

The attachment of the article A is completed by subjecting the film 24 to heat. This may be done by moving the package through a heat tunnel, past a blast of heated air, or past a source of radiant heat. As the film is heated, it shrinks and draws the object A snugly against the surface of the panel 10.

Shrink fil-ms which have been effectively used are films made of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, and a film produced by Du Pont under the trademark Clysan The films which have been used have varied from a thickness of 1.50 mils to 0.50 mil. Other such materials which may be used to serve the purpose are also available.

In FIGURES 6 and 7 of the drawings, a more common form of construction is disclosed in which a pencil or other such object D is attached to a folded display card E. In this arrangement, the two panels 35 and 36 are connected along a central fold line 37. The panel 35 is provided with an elongated slot 39 parallel to the fold line 37 and spaced therefrom. The panel 36 is provided with a similar slot 40 which will be in registry with the slot 39 when the tWo panels are folded together. A strip 41 of the shrink film material is secured to the panels 35 and 36, one line of adhesive 42 extending along the edge of the slot 39 closest to the fold line 37 and the other line of adhesive 43 extending along the edge of the slot 40 most remote from the fold line 37 so as to extend over the slot 40. The display folder is completed by folding the panels into substantial face contact and securing the areas near the outer edges 44 and 45 of the panels together as indicated in FIGURE 6 of the drawgThe object D is attached in the sarne manner as was the object A. The pointed end of the `object D is inserted through an end of the slot 39 and behind the portion of the film 41 lying between the slots. The film may be drawn through the slot 39 so that the intermediate portion of the strip forms a tubular loop to contain the object D. By submitting the film to heat, the film is shrunk tightly against the object.

As has been previously stated, if the end of the article to be attached is pointed and can be used to draw the film through the slot in the display panel, it is not essential that the slot in the rear panel be of the same size. It is desirable, however, that there be an aperture in the rear panel which is in opposed relation to one end of the slot in the front display panel to simplify the task of inserting the end of the object behind the film. In the event the object being attached is not provided with a pointed end, it is possible to form the film loop by inserting an elongated rounded blade through the slot in the rear panel to force the film through the slot in the front panel. This operation may be done either manually or by mechanical means.

In both of the structures described, the film has been described as being attached to the back of the front display panel between the slot and the fold line. If preferred, the film 24 or 41 could be secured to the front display panel along the edge of the slot most remote from the fold line, and may be secured to the rear panel along the edge of the slot closest the fold line. It is preferred that one edge of the lm be secured to one panel on one side yof the slot and to the other panel on the other side of the slot. However, if a loop of increased size is desired, the film may be attached along a line a greater distance from the fold line.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in method and apparatus for displaying articles; while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A display card including:

a display panel having inner and outer surfaces,

a second panel having inner and outer surfaces hingedly attached to an edge of said display panel and foldable into substantially face cont-act with said display panel inner surface,

said display panel having an elongated slot therein extending generally parallel to, and spaced from, the line of fold connecting said panels,

a strip of shrink film extending over said fold line and having one edge secured to said display panel inner surface and the opposite edge secured to said second panel inner surface, the secured areas being parallel to said fold line,

one end of said film lying rearwardly of said slot when said panels are folded into substantially face contact, and

the full width of said film being exposed through said slot.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the intermediate portion of said film between said secured areas extends through said slot.

3. A display card including:

a display panel having inner and outer surfaces,

a second panel having inner and outer surfaces hingedly attached to an edge of said display panel and foldable into substantially face contact with said display lpanel inner surface,

said d-isplay panel having an elongated slot therein parallel to, and spaced from, the line of fold connecting said panels,

a strip of shrink flrn secured overlying said fold line and inner surfaces of said panels when said panels are in coplanar relation and having one edge secured to said display panel inner surface and an opposite edge secured to said second panel inner surface, the attached edges being parallel to, and spaced from, said slot,

said second lpanel having an aperture therethrough in registry with an end of said slot when said panels are folded into substantially face contact of said inner surfaces,

one end of said film extending between said slot and said aperture when said panels are folded into substantially face contact,

said film being of a width to extend through said slot and being positioned to be drawn therethrough.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said aperture comprises la slot registering with said slot in said display panel.

5. A display card including:

a display panel having inner and outer surfaces,

la second panel having inner and outer surfaces hingedly attached to an edge of said display panel and foldable into substantially face contact with said display panel inner surface,

said display panel having an elongated slot therein extending generally parallel to, and spaced from, the line of fold connecting said panels,

a strip of shrink film extending over said fold line and having one edge secured to said display panel inner surface and the opposite edge secured to said second panel inner surface, the secured areas being parallel to said fold line,

one end edge of said film being secured to said display panel along a line of connection between said `slot and said fold line and spaced from, and parallel to, said fold line,

the other end edge f said film being secured to said second panel along a line parallel to, and spaced from, said fold line and at a distance from said fold line greater than the distance between said fold line and said slot,

substantially the full width of said film in a direction parallel :to the secured ends being exposed through said slot when said panels are folded together.

6. A display card including:

a display panel having inner and outer surfaces,

a second panel having inner and outer surfaces hingedly attached to an edge of said display panel and foldable into substantially face contact with said display panel inner surface,

said display panel having an elongated slot therein extending generally parallel tto, and spaced from, the line of fold connecting said panels,

said second panel having a slot therein in substantial registry with said slot in said display panel,

a strip of shrink film of a width not substantially exceeding the length of said slots overlying said fold line when said panels are in coplanar relation,

means connecting one inner surface end of said film to one of said panels along a line of connection parallel to, and spaced from, said fold line and between the slot in said one panel and said fold line,

means connecting the opposite end of said film to the other inner surface of said panels along a line of connection parallel to, and spaced from, said fold line on the side of the slot in said other panel most remote from said fold line,

said film overlying said slot in said other panel throughout at least most of the width of said film.

7. The structure of claim 6 and in which the intermediate portion of said film between said lines of connection extends through said slot in said display panel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,481,571 9/ 1949 Chemlinski 206-47 X 2,872,030 2/1959 Dumont 206-45.14 2,931,495 4/ 1960 Str-atton 206-80 2,939,577 6/ 1960 Vanderlugt 20'6-45.14 2,983,368 5/1961 Cunnien 206-47 3,154,898 11/1964 Engles 53-30 3,185,300 5/1965 Potter 206-80 3,192,681 7/1965 Greenbaum 53-30 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDON, Examiner.

I. M. `CASKIE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY CARD INCLUDING: A DISPLAY PANEL HAVING INNER AND OUTER SURFACES, A SECOND PANEL HAVING INNER AND OUTER SURFACES HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO AN EDGE OF SAID DISPLAY PANEL AND FOLDABLE INTO SUBSTANTIALLY FACE CONTACT WITH SAID DISPLAY PANEL INNER SURFACE, SAID DISPLAY PANEL HAVING AN ELONGATED SLOT THEREIN EXTENDING GENERALLY PARALLEL TO, AND SPACED FROM, THE LINE OF FOLD CONNECTING SAID PANELS, A STRIP OF SHRINK FILM EXTENDING OVER SAID FOLD LINE AND HAVING ONE EDGE SECURED TO SAID DISPLAY PANEL INNER SURFACE AND THE OPPOSITE EDGE SECURED TO SAID SECOND PANEL INNER SURFACE, THE SECURED AREAS BEING PARALLEL TO SAID FOLD LINE, ONE END OF SAID FILM LYING REARWARDLY OF SAID SLOT WHEN SAID PANELS ARE FOLDED INTO SUBSTANTIALLY FACE CONTACT, AND THE FULL WIDTH OF SAID FILM BEING EXPOSED THROUGH SAID SLOT. 